Technology

Instagram creators targeted by extortion schemes using fraudulent copyright claims

Extortionists exploit platform reporting tools to demand ransoms from creators, BBC News reports.

Updated Sep 8, 2026 · 07:49 UTC1 reports

The short version

Instagram creators report losing thousands of pounds after extorters filed fraudulent copyright notices with Meta to trigger account bans and demand payment to retract them.[BBC News]
Meta stated it restored content and added account protections following a review, though creators allege appeals remain slow unless they pay a monthly subscription.[BBC News]
Law enforcement agencies warn extortion victims against paying ransoms because it sustains criminal networks.[BBC News]

Instagram creators report losing thousands of pounds after extorters submitted bogus copyright strikes to trigger suspensions and demand ransoms.[BBC News]
An Instagram account holder with 1.5 million followers paid a scammer $50 in cryptocurrency to recover a suspended profile.[BBC News]
Meta stated that its systems are designed to protect users and that it restored affected content while implementing extra protections.[BBC News]
Creators contend that Meta struggles to identify obvious fraudulent reports and provides slow appeal responses unless users subscribe for a monthly fee.[BBC News]
Law enforcement organizations instruct victims not to pay ransoms to avoid sustaining illicit operations.[BBC News]

Three individuals interviewed who file copyright strikes denied running ransom schemes, asserting they submit legitimate notices on behalf of copyright holders.[BBC News]
A digital copyright expert suggested artificial intelligence may be facilitating larger-scale automated claims, though this remains an assessment.[BBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.